Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-09-09
INVESTIGATION
Of Bribery Charges at Concord, N. H., in
Which the Boston & Maine Railroad is
Interested.
CONCORD. n. H.. Sent &

CONCORD, N. H., Sept. s.
The State bribery investigation was re-
sumed Thursday morning, both parties being
present with their lawyers. Several Sena-
tors were in attendance.
The first witness called by the counsel for
Kirk ID. Pierce, was Fish Commissioner John
II Kimball of sMarlboro, Mass. After b.
ing sworn he testified that he went to Suna-
pee lake, Thursday, from Hillsboro, with
General Corse of Boston. Mr.. Pierce and
others met Senator Sawyer at hotel that
evening. Mr.. Pierce introduced him. Saw
yer and Pierce appeared to be OF friendly
terms and nothing could be seen in their ac-
tions that indicated any attempt at bribery
Sawyer remained at the hotel in our party
about two hours that evening, and when
Pierce passed the cigars Sawyer took one
from him. | saw Sawyer on the lake fishing
next day and Pierce was in boat close by
They then appeared friendly.
Col. Frank II. Pierce, U. S. Consul at
Mattanzas, Cuba was sworn: Reside in
Hillsboro and am brother of Kird d. Pierce !;
went to Supapee lake, last Thursday, with
Gen. Corse of Boston, Fish Commissioner
Kimball, my brother and others. After sup
per, that evening. Senstor Sawyer called at
our hotel and my brother introduced our par
ty u him. Soon afterwards stepped out
side with the senator and had general con-
versation With HIM regarding fishing and 9th
er matters. Subsequently, saw Sawyer sit
ting and smoking with our party at the hotel.
My brother and the senator seemed to be on
the most cordial terms as they chatted and
told stories. The next morning my brother
and Gen. Corse visited Senator SAWYER at his
camp short distance from the hotel.
Sam X. Paige, a lawyer of Warner, was
called and sworn: went to Sunapee lake
Thursday, With Gen Corse and Others in
Warner. Kirk Pierce joined US that evening
at Blodgett's Landing; saw Senator SAWYER
at the hotel after supper. Kirk Pierce intro
duced the sena.o or to General Corse and 9TH
ers our party and Senator Sawyer sat in the
reception room of the hotel in the vicinity of
two hours. The time was spent in jovial
way. OF course SAWYER and Kirk Pierce
told stories; Kirk Pierce passed cigars and
Sawyer took one from him. The next morn
ing saw Gen. Corse, Senator Sawyer and
Kirk Pierce together, coming from Sawyer's
camp; Sawyer and Pierce were busily en-
gagged in conversation. Kirk Pierce a1d
Sawyer appeared very friendly Thursday eve
ming and Friday morning, and it appears as
though Sawyer was at the hotel that evenin g
as Kirk Pierce's guest. Thursday evening,
while was alone with Senator Sawyer on
the veranda of the hotel, said: "They are
getting warm down to Concord" He said
eyes, the issue is between two corporations
There is big pot of money in it and the man
who has vote is fool if he doesn't get
some of it." l said, "that's so." Don't know
as anybody heard the conversation; We were
alone but short time.
The Senate bribery investigation was con-
tinued this evening.
Postmaster Corse, Clerk Chase and Ser
geant alarms Mason, of the Senate, testi-
! fed. The former showed that friendly rela-
tons existed between Sawyer and Pierce at
Lake Sunapee, after the alleged attempt at
( bribery occurred.
| Mason confirmed Sawyer's testimony as to
being called out of the Senate by Pierce.
Hon. o. c. Moore of Nashua, testified that
Sawyer told him at noon, that Wednesday
Pierce offered him $4,000 to speak for the
Boston & Maine.
Sawyer reiterated the charge
| The investigation closed with no new facts
of importace elected